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I'm with Farmlady on this. The only way we're going to chage things is to stop giving so much power to the top 1%. If we don't shop at Wal-mart and shop at Cosco's instead, then we get to affect how much people are paid with out raising minimum wage. If people want to see change, then people need to be willing to change first.

Quoting brookiecookie87:

Show me the person saying we should take money from the rich.

No one is saying that. What our government does with our tax money is what they do with our tax money. That doesn't equate taking money from people.

Unless you are talking taxes. And that is a whole other discussion.

Walmart is part of the problem. A livable wage is part of a solution. Just because it is not the solution you seek doesn't make it part of a solution. Again. Doing something is FAR more effective than doing nothing and just wishing things would change.

Walmart is in the business of paying people the bare minimum. Which creates people who can only afford goods from stores like walmart (Especially those that work their and can stretch their money further).

Our news stations also fall under huge corporations. The last time people tried to stand up against the power of money corrupting our government it didn't go so well. The DHS labeled them as threats before they start camping out all over our country. They sent messages to banks and corporations in the area warning them, and got in contact with law enforcement groups.

The mainstream media only aired the craziest individuals they found, and only highlighted the negative parts. They did anything and everything to marginalize and discredit the group.

Us out numbering them doesn't matter if people are not allowed to organize.

There are quite a few ~ starting with Obama and moving right on down the line to the little welfare mama at the end of that line waiting for her 'fair share'.

Do you not understand that we are supposed to have some say in what the government does with our tax money?? And yes, it absolutely equates to taking money from people. That's what taxation does. Raising taxes on the rich so that more money can be given to the poor is taking money from the rich.

There won't BE any living wage unless/until government knocks off all the regulations, eliminates all the red tape and hoops that businesses must jump through, and entities such as Walmart are eliminated. I flat out won't waste my time doing something just for the sake of being able to pat myself on the back and say 'well done'. Ugh. If you want to do something, stop wasting time on meaningless and useless gestures. Start working on correcting what is wrong!

Our news stations are funded by George Soros ~ and they spoon feed his anti-American/eliminate America propaganda to the masses that refuse to educate themselves beyond his pap (and obviously don't understand that he IS as much the problem as Walmart ~ both got fat and rich skipping between the regulations the government created to stomp the people down).

The occupy bunch was absolutely shot down. Uncle Sammy didn't give them permission to do that, and he absolutely didn't want such seditious talk becoming mainstream. That being said, the occupy bunch was also focused on the wrong things, and absolutely the wrong solution ... and for all the wrong reasons.

I'm just going to agree to disagree. You don't want to 'get it'. I'm not dissing you, but you seem to think that taxes and more regulation will solve everything and I flat out disagree. I KNOW that this country was far better off before the citizens were taxed to death. I KNOW this country was far better off before the rule of law was replaced with regulatory agencies and no Constitutional protections. Not just the country, but each and every citizen was better off.

Quoting brookiecookie87:

Show me the person saying we should take money from the rich.

No one is saying that. What our government does with our tax money is what they do with our tax money. That doesn't equate taking money from people.

Unless you are talking taxes. And that is a whole other discussion.

Walmart is part of the problem. A livable wage is part of a solution. Just because it is not the solution you seek doesn't make it part of a solution. Again. Doing something is FAR more effective than doing nothing and just wishing things would change.

Walmart is in the business of paying people the bare minimum. Which creates people who can only afford goods from stores like walmart (Especially those that work their and can stretch their money further).

Our news stations also fall under huge corporations. The last time people tried to stand up against the power of money corrupting our government it didn't go so well. The DHS labeled them as threats before they start camping out all over our country. They sent messages to banks and corporations in the area warning them, and got in contact with law enforcement groups.

The mainstream media only aired the craziest individuals they found, and only highlighted the negative parts. They did anything and everything to marginalize and discredit the group.

Us out numbering them doesn't matter if people are not allowed to organize.

Quoting Farmlady09:

What you seem to be missing is that Walmart and the other 'rich' people/companies/corporations have gotten rich by working between the regulations that ran the rest of the jobs out of the country. Worse, those same people/companies/corporations now hold a monopoly on jobs AND goods and services that are available. I don't know about you, but the wallyworld mantra of 'if we don't have it, you don't need it' makes me itch ~ especially when you consider that the quality of what they offer is somewhat less than poop. It's the lowest common denominator if what won't fall apart before you get it home or won't kill you within hours of eating it.

Stop saying that no one has said let's take their money and give it to other people. That is exactly what is being said ~ because the things our dear old Uncle Sammy 'need' money for fall under welfare programs exclusively. He doesn't need permission to fund the military or the infrastructure. He has it (regardless of what a pathetic job he does as far as managing it). Each of our congresscritters slip their own pork into every bill that gets signed. The funds that are always low are the welfare funds ~ including the ones Uncle Sammy managed to shove down our throats and stolen from our paychecks all these years.

Walmart upping it's minimum wages isn't the solution. Walmart is part of the problem.

At the end of your post, you got right to all those excuses that I already stated I have no time for. If 'we the people' aren't willing to fix the problem, then 'we the people' are stuck with it. Uncle Sammy does not care about 'you' or any other part of 'we the people'. Uncle Sammy will get his, and 'we the people' are only there to fund that for him.

'We the people' vastly outnumber both that which constitutes Uncle Sammy, and those few rich people. If 'we' stop funding them, they WILL go away. They WILL be far less rich. Local businesses and jobs that pay living wages would come back ~ provided 'we the people' also demanded that our congresscritters do their jobs or send them to obedience training and keep them on a short leash afterwards.

You can't grovel in front of something you want to change.

Quoting brookiecookie87:

You are talking about the people in the bottom of our country. Did you watch the video? It is talking about our entire country.

No one has said, "Let's take their money and give it to other people". But if you look at Walmart for example. They are one of the richest families on the planet. Yet their employee's don't make a liveable wage.

There was a study done that suggested they could raise the salary of all their employees by three dollars and it would only cost consumers 50 cents a visit. This is assuming the owners can't take a cut in profits and have to pass it all on to the consumers.

If the people who make up the bottom of our country had jobs that provided livable wages it would be an incredible boost to our economy. Not only would they be able to pay rent, buy their own food, and spend their money at various other places/save it. But the government wouldn't have to give so much in Public Assistance either.

When we allow our countries biggest employers that has profits in the billions squeeze down so hard on our country that people feel they have to work off the clock to keep their job. A job that is toward the bottom of the barrel.

Inequality is what will come. And while it is true a "free" market will self correct. The self correcting of all the money being bundled a the very top and not circulating is the whole thing crumbling and starting over again. Hence why some people want to focus on it.

And what you said toward the bottom is a catch 22. Some people can only afford to work at walmart. Then when you have the people who are employed by walmart I imagine they do all their shopping their as well.

Those people squeezing down on the bottom, the ones who abuse tax loopholes, and the ones out sourcing all their jobs. Know what would happen if they left? Someone would replace them. And perhaps that person might give out livable wages to the people left behind. Perhaps that person will pay taxes.

If the people abusing the system, abusing the people, abusting their power, and commiting fraud all left. It wouldn't be the end for our country. Other people would fill the whole they leave behind.

Quoting Farmlady09:

If the people in this country would be more concerned with doing something than with spending money they aren't doing something to make (or on crap that they don't NEED), this wouldn't be such an issue.

People need food, shelter, and clothing. Many have that, but they feel they deserve better food, shelter, and clothing.

I'll admit that I like nice things. I like quality things. I don't go out and buy things and stuff them in closets. I don't buy something new every year ~ I use what I have until it wears out or breaks. I don't buy name brand clothes ~ and won't ... just the thought of crawling around in the pig pen when a pig is farrowing in $300 jeans makes my head hurt! I grow the food we eat. I don't 'need' to go out to eat, to get drunk (I don't drink in any case), I don't use drugs, I watch movies on Netflix or not at all, I don't have cable (and don't miss it), etc.

Do I think everyone should make the same choices I made? No. What I do think is that if you 'want' things you don't 'need', you are suffering from envy and greed ... and possibly have some delusions of grandeur.

All that being said, when the economy doesn't support a living wage, when rent prices are artificially jacked up because of HUD, etc. and people are hungry, cold, overheated, or living on the street there are problems. I absolutely agree with that.

What I do NOT agree with is the idea that the people who have made money are obligated in some way to share that money with those who have not. The problem is not caused by some people (even a very few people) hoarding all the money.

Some of the problem stems from the very people who are doing without. Some made some very stupid and/or bad choices. Some just aren't as smart as others, some never learned to apply themselves, and some are plain lazy.

Others are caught in an ongoing cycle of abuse, poverty because of their location, or have had medical issues.

Out of all of those, ONLY the medical issues are not by an ultimate choice. And, ALL of the things I have listed except medical conditions are directly caused by government intrusion and design. Wages suck because of gov't. regulations. Same goes for job availability. Same goes for people making bad choices.

What? Huh? The government did that? Yup. It has taught people that no one is wrong, and that it will pay them for making bad choices ... even when they make the same ones over and over. The public schools run by the government teach this outright. So do our colleges. After 30+ years of this crap, we have a nation full of incompetents who are now being taught to blame the people who have made money. They are being taught this by the government that is out of money, and needs to keep the people it taught to be incompetent from gnawing on Uncle Sammy's ankles. Uncle Sammy says blame the rich (but don't look at the income of those who constitute Uncle Sammy!) so he's on a concerted campaign to tax them more, redistribute that wealth, and pacify 'the people'. Until the rich pack up and leave and take all their lovely money with them.

Considering it was also Uncle Sammy that taught the people to just be consumers instead of producers after the regulations ran business out of the country, none of this is surprising.

It's only going to get worse. Uncle Sammy really is broke. His credit rating is dropping like a lead balloon. His respect from others is in the trash can. And, his ability to just print more money is about to go bye bye. When that happens, a whole lot more bad things are going to get dumped on the people who keep holding their hands out thinking Uncle Sammy will fill them.

As for the video, and the observation that about the Walton's ~ how many people who feel that it's wrong for so few people to have so much money ALSO shop in their stores or work and shop there? If you don't like it, STOP helping them. Start paying attention to which corporations 'buy' your vote in Congress and start holding your congresscritter accountable. Tell THEM, every day if possible, that you want America back instead of the corporate run nightmare they have created. Don't just tell them, demand it.

The wealthy have no one to blame but 'you' for being wealthy. Boycott the corporations and the products they sell. Hit them where it absolutely will hurt. Get your food from local sources instead of Cargill and Tyson. Stop buying cheap 'made in China' crap. Buy American. Only. If everyone did this for even one month the effect on these companies would be staggering. If they did it for 6 months, the bastages wouldn't be able to afford a congresscritter. Yes ~ it really is that simple.

That is the choice Americans have. Suck it up, change your own habits, and demand that our elected servants start serving Americans ... or accept that 'you' are part of the problem, that 'you' enable the rich people you envy, and that 'you' don't actually care enough to fix the problem.

I have put my money where my mouth (fingers) is. I walk the walk. I have for almost 20 years now (living in cities ... I've only had my little farm for 3 years). I grew my own food. What I couldn't grow I bought from farmers and farmer's markets. I got meat from local farms. I bought in bulk and canned and dehydrated food in season rather than living on chemically treated imports. I didn't buy on credit or run up bills. I actually saved money instead of spending it. I chose the smallest dwelling I could cram my stuff into ~ and learned to get rid of crap I didn't need. That meant lower utility bills, less expenses for furniture, clothing, and 'stuff'. When I did buy something it was because I needed it, and I bought the best I could afford and made in America. Right now it 'costs' me less than $300 a month to 'exist', and I am living a life I love. I made the choice to do so. For those who say not everyone has it so easy, I was dumped in a state where I knew no one, with three boys under the age of 5, with no car, and no money. I found a derelict trailer and convinced the owner to let me live there in exchange for cleaning it and repairing it until I got a job. I got three jobs. I walked to work (over 11 miles daily). I dragged groceries home in a little red wagon. My first purchase was beds and clothing, then a junk car. Once I had those I worried about getting the electricity turned on. So yeah ~ I've BEEN there. Hungry, poorer than dirt.

Did I get any help? Yup. One month of foodstamps (the emergency allotment) that was cut off when I got the first two jobs. I got books from the library for the repairs on the dinky trailer. I bought seeds with some of those food stamps and planted another garden. Some of my coworkers scrounged canning jars from yard sales for me before I got a vehicle. In any case, I didn't allow myself the 'luxury' of feeling sorry for myself ~ I just went to work on fixing the problems in my own little part of the world. I did that while dealing with RA and SLE (sans medication because of allergies). I did so because those boys were mine to raise, feed, clothe, and shelter ~ and because I deserved a much better set of living conditions. When I don't accept excuses, it's because I know that most excuses aren't anything BUT excuses.

What's really interesting is when you breakdown the top 1% - the vast majority pf the wealth is held by the top 0.4% of citizens- The 6 Waltons (WM owners) hold as much wealth as the bottom 40% of Americans- 6 people!

Quoting HunnyBabie:

I think that's what the democrats (socialists) want us (the bottom 99%) to think. Then socialism looks a whole lot better, with all that equality going on and all.

Can you believe the top 1% guy with his ten stacks???

Quoting Sisteract:

The bottom 99% are never going to get ahead in the new America- and that might grow to the bottom 99.6%-

We have the most opportunity of anyone in the world to make our lives what we want of them.

I do my best to avoid carrying anything made in China (outside of fireworks, because they are ALL made in China) I try to stock, not just made in America, but made in Michigan, for fishing and hunting supplies. You want a Barnett Crossbow? Walmart is just down the street.

Quoting Sisteract:

Very good points made here.

WM has created a permanent underclass of isolated folks-

Quoting Farmlady09:

If the people in this country would be more concerned with doing something than with spending money they aren't doing something to make (or on crap that they don't NEED), this wouldn't be such an issue.

People need food, shelter, and clothing. Many have that, but they feel they deserve better food, shelter, and clothing.

I'll admit that I like nice things. I like quality things. I don't go out and buy things and stuff them in closets. I don't buy something new every year ~ I use what I have until it wears out or breaks. I don't buy name brand clothes ~ and won't ... just the thought of crawling around in the pig pen when a pig is farrowing in $300 jeans makes my head hurt! I grow the food we eat. I don't 'need' to go out to eat, to get drunk (I don't drink in any case), I don't use drugs, I watch movies on Netflix or not at all, I don't have cable (and don't miss it), etc.

Do I think everyone should make the same choices I made? No. What I do think is that if you 'want' things you don't 'need', you are suffering from envy and greed ... and possibly have some delusions of grandeur.

All that being said, when the economy doesn't support a living wage, when rent prices are artificially jacked up because of HUD, etc. and people are hungry, cold, overheated, or living on the street there are problems. I absolutely agree with that.

What I do NOT agree with is the idea that the people who have made money are obligated in some way to share that money with those who have not. The problem is not caused by some people (even a very few people) hoarding all the money.

Some of the problem stems from the very people who are doing without. Some made some very stupid and/or bad choices. Some just aren't as smart as others, some never learned to apply themselves, and some are plain lazy.

Others are caught in an ongoing cycle of abuse, poverty because of their location, or have had medical issues.

Out of all of those, ONLY the medical issues are not by an ultimate choice. And, ALL of the things I have listed except medical conditions are directly caused by government intrusion and design. Wages suck because of gov't. regulations. Same goes for job availability. Same goes for people making bad choices.

What? Huh? The government did that? Yup. It has taught people that no one is wrong, and that it will pay them for making bad choices ... even when they make the same ones over and over. The public schools run by the government teach this outright. So do our colleges. After 30+ years of this crap, we have a nation full of incompetents who are now being taught to blame the people who have made money. They are being taught this by the government that is out of money, and needs to keep the people it taught to be incompetent from gnawing on Uncle Sammy's ankles. Uncle Sammy says blame the rich (but don't look at the income of those who constitute Uncle Sammy!) so he's on a concerted campaign to tax them more, redistribute that wealth, and pacify 'the people'. Until the rich pack up and leave and take all their lovely money with them.

Considering it was also Uncle Sammy that taught the people to just be consumers instead of producers after the regulations ran business out of the country, none of this is surprising.

It's only going to get worse. Uncle Sammy really is broke. His credit rating is dropping like a lead balloon. His respect from others is in the trash can. And, his ability to just print more money is about to go bye bye. When that happens, a whole lot more bad things are going to get dumped on the people who keep holding their hands out thinking Uncle Sammy will fill them.

As for the video, and the observation that about the Walton's ~ how many people who feel that it's wrong for so few people to have so much money ALSO shop in their stores or work and shop there? If you don't like it, STOP helping them. Start paying attention to which corporations 'buy' your vote in Congress and start holding your congresscritter accountable. Tell THEM, every day if possible, that you want America back instead of the corporate run nightmare they have created. Don't just tell them, demand it.

The wealthy have no one to blame but 'you' for being wealthy. Boycott the corporations and the products they sell. Hit them where it absolutely will hurt. Get your food from local sources instead of Cargill and Tyson. Stop buying cheap 'made in China' crap. Buy American. Only. If everyone did this for even one month the effect on these companies would be staggering. If they did it for 6 months, the bastages wouldn't be able to afford a congresscritter. Yes ~ it really is that simple.

That is the choice Americans have. Suck it up, change your own habits, and demand that our elected servants start serving Americans ... or accept that 'you' are part of the problem, that 'you' enable the rich people you envy, and that 'you' don't actually care enough to fix the problem.

I have put my money where my mouth (fingers) is. I walk the walk. I have for almost 20 years now (living in cities ... I've only had my little farm for 3 years). I grew my own food. What I couldn't grow I bought from farmers and farmer's markets. I got meat from local farms. I bought in bulk and canned and dehydrated food in season rather than living on chemically treated imports. I didn't buy on credit or run up bills. I actually saved money instead of spending it. I chose the smallest dwelling I could cram my stuff into ~ and learned to get rid of crap I didn't need. That meant lower utility bills, less expenses for furniture, clothing, and 'stuff'. When I did buy something it was because I needed it, and I bought the best I could afford and made in America. Right now it 'costs' me less than $300 a month to 'exist', and I am living a life I love. I made the choice to do so. For those who say not everyone has it so easy, I was dumped in a state where I knew no one, with three boys under the age of 5, with no car, and no money. I found a derelict trailer and convinced the owner to let me live there in exchange for cleaning it and repairing it until I got a job. I got three jobs. I walked to work (over 11 miles daily). I dragged groceries home in a little red wagon. My first purchase was beds and clothing, then a junk car. Once I had those I worried about getting the electricity turned on. So yeah ~ I've BEEN there. Hungry, poorer than dirt.

Did I get any help? Yup. One month of foodstamps (the emergency allotment) that was cut off when I got the first two jobs. I got books from the library for the repairs on the dinky trailer. I bought seeds with some of those food stamps and planted another garden. Some of my coworkers scrounged canning jars from yard sales for me before I got a vehicle. In any case, I didn't allow myself the 'luxury' of feeling sorry for myself ~ I just went to work on fixing the problems in my own little part of the world. I did that while dealing with RA and SLE (sans medication because of allergies). I did so because those boys were mine to raise, feed, clothe, and shelter ~ and because I deserved a much better set of living conditions. When I don't accept excuses, it's because I know that most excuses aren't anything BUT excuses.

That's apalling!!! How can 6 ppl own more than 40% of the rest of a nation??? I'm a conservative, so I'm not looking to the government to fix anything. I think their laws and regulations are what created this problem in the first place; the market has no room to self-correct or self-regulate.

You know I keep those 6 ppl rich. Well, I don't, but DH does; he says things like we can't afford to shop anywhere else. It sickens me that they just sponge off the rest of us like that!!! I always hated WalMart; now I hate it even more!!!

Quoting Sisteract:

What's really interesting is when you breakdown the top 1% - the vast majority pf the wealth is held by the top 0.4% of citizens- The 6 Waltons (WM owners) hold as much wealth as the bottom 40% of Americans- 6 people!

Quoting HunnyBabie:

I think that's what the democrats (socialists) want us (the bottom 99%) to think. Then socialism looks a whole lot better, with all that equality going on and all.

Can you believe the top 1% guy with his ten stacks???

Quoting Sisteract:

The bottom 99% are never going to get ahead in the new America- and that might grow to the bottom 99.6%-

How did the govt create the income disparity and why can't corps self correct? What is forcing execs to give themselves, and the board, more and more money while freezing wages of the regular workers? Corps are profitable, especially ones like WalMart but I don't see what is preventing the execs from taking just a little less so that regular employees don't qualify for govt aid.

A few years ago I was working at Target and my step mom was working at Walmart. We started about the same time. A year later my step mom was making the same amount and i was making over $1.00 more. We where both hard workers, but they hardly ever gave anyone a raise at WM. While Target gave us a wage ever couple of month if we where good workers.

Quoting fullxbusymom:

They shouldn't have too. Walmart was NEVER meant to be a career. It was meant to be a low paying menial job. They pay NO LESS than Target, Kohls or any other similar store. There rates are competitive with any other chain store and if people don't like it they don't have to work there.

Quoting brookiecookie87:

Did anyone suggest that?

This does show that they could afford to pay their employees more. In fact I think one study stated if they raised every employee at Walmarts salary by 3 dollars an hour it would only cost the consumers about 50 cents a visit (This is assuming is not possible to ask one of the richest families on the planet to accept a little less profits).

This would curb the inequality. No one is saying, "Let's steal/take all their money and give it out". People are saying, "Perhaps, some of the biggest employers in the country can afford to pay better wages".

Perhaps the growth of income is extremely disproportionate. And this doesn't mean we don't want people to be successful and rich. People can still be extremely rich and share some of those profits with the people they employ.

Quoting talia-mom:

So do you think they should have to give up most of their money and have it distributed by the government to other people?

Quoting HunnyBabie:

THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!

That's apalling!!! How can 6 ppl own more than 40% of the rest of a nation??? I'm a conservative, so I'm not looking to the government to fix anything. I think their laws and regulations are what created this problem in the first place; the market has no room to self-correct or self-regulate.

You know I keep those 6 ppl rich. Well, I don't, but DH does; he says things like we can't afford to shop anywhere else. It sickens me that they just sponge off the rest of us like that!!! I always hated WalMart; now I hate it even more!!!

Quoting Sisteract:

What's really interesting is when you breakdown the top 1% - the vast majority pf the wealth is held by the top 0.4% of citizens- The 6 Waltons (WM owners) hold as much wealth as the bottom 40% of Americans- 6 people!

Quoting HunnyBabie:

I think that's what the democrats (socialists) want us (the bottom 99%) to think. Then socialism looks a whole lot better, with all that equality going on and all.

Can you believe the top 1% guy with his ten stacks???

Quoting Sisteract:

The bottom 99% are never going to get ahead in the new America- and that might grow to the bottom 99.6%-

I grew up poor and made my own wealth. It is MINE..and I am only inclined to share it with certain people.

I have no problem with what the Walton's own. Sam Walton took a lot of risks and worked really hard for the wealth his heirs enjoy today. A generation or 2 from now I don't want people bitching about the money I worked for and handed down.

If you look at history you will see superwealth comes and goes. Those on top now were not the same families as those on top 100 years ago.

Her husband used to work for a company whose owner had property all over the US, vacation homes, etc. Now, he's struggling to pay his power bills. 100% of the factory owners, of the many small auto part manufacturing, that used to be in that area no longer own any factory, many of them lost their houses along with their businesses.

The folks (young adults my youngest knows) who started AddictingGames sold it for more than 17million dollars. The lad who wrote the Inheritance Cycle (which sold more than 33 million copies) grew up in a normal house in Montana.

Have you ever heard of Oprah?

Quoting Sisteract:

Maybe in Canada, but times have been different in the US for decades- The divide between the top and bottom has been sporeading for a good long time.

Quoting LindaClement:

Bullshit.

There has historically, and recently, been a lot of movement between the bottom and the top.

Lots of folks who have been in the 1% don't get to stay there, and lots of people at the bottom have moved far up from where they were.

Quoting Sisteract:

The bottom 99% are never going to get ahead in the new America- and that might grow to the bottom 99.6%-

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